Brain Images of Woman in Vegetative State Hint at Awareness - Los Angeles Times

The issue here is that someone discovered information suggesting that people in a persistent vegetative state may be more aware of what's going on than previously thought. What I find most interesting is the vehemnet arguments that the research is wrong, flawed, or that the patient was already getting better. As if "getting better" wasn't an indication that there was brain activity. The naysayers are clearly speaking from the agenda that the family members must be allowed to remove the "burden" of a vegetative member by killing them (usually by starving them to death).

Mary's meaning

My oldest son developed a serious, though non-lie-threatening, medical condition, and the role Mary plays for Christians became clear. She had to watch her son suffer, and she models for us what a true Christian is to do: trust in God. She was able to be this model only because, by God's grace, she was sinless. She didn't confuse herself with the "if only" thoughts that plague the rest of us.

What does this have to do with the "Real Presence"? The thought came to me while praying (for my son) in front of the Eucharist.